Pastor a victim of homicide, police say

Receive the latest local updates in your inbox

A pastor was killed in a string of assaults at a Forest Hill church on Monday afternoon, and the suspect was found dead after being stunned by police and arrested.

Forest Hill police said a man drove his car into the Greater Sweethome Missionary Baptist Church and then went inside to the music room, where he beat the founder and 18-year pastor Danny Kirk Sr. over the head with an electric guitar.

Family, Congregation Shocked by Pastor's Slaying

Members of a Tarrant County church are reeling after their pastor was allegedly killed by a man police say rammed his car into the church. Police say the man fought with a maintenance worker and beat the pastor to death. (Published Monday, Oct 29, 2012)

Police said a janitor was injured while trying to stop the assault. The janitor may have a broken jaw from the assault, police said.

The church secretary witnessed the assaults and called 911 while she barricaded herself inside an office.

Beloved Pastor Killed

Forest Hill police are investigating the death of Rev. Danny Kirk Sr. killed in an attack at the Greater Sweethome Missionary Baptist Church Monday afternoon. Police say the suspect rammed a car into the church and beat Kirk with an electric guitar, he died a short time later in police custody. (Published Monday, Oct 29, 2012)

The man was still attacking Kirk and the janitor when officers arrived, police said. Officers used a stun gun to restrain the man, arrested him and placed him in a police car.

According to MedStar spokesman Matt Zavadsky, the man was not breathing and had no pulse when officials later went to check on the man. He was declared dead upon arrival at John Peter Smith Hospital.

Crowd Gathers at Greater Sweethome Missionary Baptist Church

Police said only about 10 minutes had passed between the time the suspect was stunned to when he was discovered unresponsive.

Two others were transported to the hospital, including the janitor. Their conditions were not immediately known.

Extreme Weather 2012

"My dad [is the] best guy ever," said Danny Kirk Jr., the pastor's son. "I mean, anything I needed, anything the church needed, he was going to do. [He was the] best guy ever on this side of heaven, I promise you that much."

A crowd gathered outside of the church after word of the assaults spread through the congregation and community. Two people in the crowd were given medical attention after they become overcome by grief, officials said.

Celebrity Pets: Kristin Chenoweth's Puppy

"The whole church is devastated," church member Shirley Robinson said. "The whole church is destroyed. This is so senseless and so uncalled for. I don't know God's plan for this. It just doesn't make any sense to me to take pastor Kirk from us at this time."

Surveillance cameras around the buildings were operational, police said. Investigators will be reviewing the footage as they gather more information about the attacks.

Forest Hill police have requested the assistance of the Texas Rangers in the investigation.

Authorities are expected to release the name of the man accused of killing Kirk on Tuesday.